To
my family and friends who have shared some of my life experiences and
said, “You should write a book!”

This
book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events,
establishments, organizations, or locales are intended only to
provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. All
characters
and all incidents and dialogue
are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed
as real.

This
eBook is intended for your personal enjoyment. It may not be resold
or given to other people. Please respect the rights of the author.

CHAPTER
ONE

Isla
and Amy pressed tightly against their mother, Helen, as they stood at
the empty grave of their father, who died of influenza. They watched
the attendants take their father’s body from the hearse and carry
the coffin to the gravesite. Helen gripped her teenage daughters’
hands as she stood numb, realizing that her husband, Andy, was gone.
She was amazed to see so many of his co-workers from the railroad,
where he had worked for twenty years, at the service.

The heat from the early
morning sun was already bearing down in Fort Madison, Iowa. Several
ladies had their parasols opened for shade as the preacher led the
group in prayer. Hearing a few sniffles in the background, Isla
started to cry, then Amy. Helen put her arms around their shoulders
to console them as her own tears flooded her face. After the service,
Helen invited everyone to her house to gather and share stories.

Before Helen and the
girls left the cemetery, they stopped by Helen’s mother and
father’s graves who had died a year earlier in an automobile
accident.

Holding her daughters’
hands, Helen read out loud the writing on their tombstones, “Ralph
Warren, 1830 to 1910, and Ruby Warren, 1832 to
1910.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “Please take good
care of Andy for us. He is with you now.” The girls started to
whimper again. “Okay, let’s go. Aunt Lillian is waiting to drive
us home.”

Guests were waiting at
the house when Helen and the girls arrived. She tried to be gracious
as she greeted everyone, but was only going through the motions. She
had so much on her mind. How am I ever going to support my family?
she wondered. I need to come up with a plan.

An hour later, most of
the guest had left. Helen said good-bye to the last visitor and her
sister. “Forty-two is too young to die,” said Lillian, giving her
sister a final hug. “Are you going to be all right?”

“Yes, we’ll be
okay. We thought we had plenty of time to save for retirement, but
life’s plan doesn’t always work out as one expects. I have a lot
of decisions to make.”

“Do you want me to
stay with you tonight?”

“Oh, no. The girls
and I will be fine. Thank you for coming, and being with us during
this devastating time. You’re the only family I have left.”

“Call me if you need
anything,” said Lillian, hugging her sister and the two girls
before she left.

“Okay, girls, let’s
clean up,” directed Mama, and the three went
into the kitchen.

“Mama, look at all
this food!” said Isla, the youngest daughter.

“We won’t have to
cook for a week,” said Amy, who was two years older than Isla. “I
know,” said Mama, standing by the kitchen table. “I can’t
believe how wonderful your father’s friends and our neighbors have
been. We are blessed by their friendship. Let’s get everything put
away,” she said, letting out a loud exhale. “I’m so tired.”

“Mama, why don’t
you go lie down,” said Amy. “Isla and I can clean up the
kitchen.”

She paused for a
minute, looking at her two daughters. “I think I will,” she
replied. She had hardly slept more than two hours at a time since
Andy’s death. “Be sure to put anything that is perishable in the
icebox.” She turned and slowly walked upstairs.

Standing at her bedroom
door, she stared at her bed. I’m going to be so lonely without
you, Andy, she thought. She sat on the side of the bed, letting
her shoes fall to the floor. She took the few combs from her hair,
letting it fall free to her shoulders. She slowly lay on the bed,
crying softly, and she finally dozed off.

***

One week later, Mama
had already taken a few measures to put her plan in place. She was a
short woman and a little on the heavy side. She always wore an apron
over her ankle- length dress and her hair in a bun. She sewed all her
own dresses and had taught Isla to sew, too.
Today was the last day of school before summer vacation. Mama was
going to talk to Isla first about a decision she had made.

Isla, barely fifteen
years old, placed her hands on her small hips in defiance, “No,
Mama, I don’t want to go!” she said as she stamped her foot and
shook her head, which was surprising for such a shy girl. Isla was a
small, naïve girl with natural curly strawberry-blond hair. She had
never before questioned her mother nor raised her voice. “I want to
stay here with you and Amy,” she said in a louder than normal
voice. Her lips trembling as she fought back her tears. Mama just
stared at Isla, surprised at her reaction. “What about school and
my friends? Why do I have to go?” seeing Amy standing in the
doorway, she lowered her voice. “Why not Amy? She is older.”

Amy didn’t have curly
hair like Isla’s. Her hair was straight and brown, and she wore it
in a single braid past her shoulders. “What’s going on?” asked
Amy. “What do you mean? Why not Amy? She is older’?” asked Amy.

“Mama is going to
send me away for the summer,” spouted Isla.

“You will only be
gone for three months,” replied Mama as she explained to Amy what
they were talking about. “I’ve made arrangements for Isla to
attend Archer’s Academy, a highly recommended boarding school for
seamstresses.” Reaching out to pull Isla close as she sat at the
kitchen table, she continued. “It will be just as hard for me to
let you go as it will be for you to be away from us. Your sewing will
help with our household expenses. Isla, I need your help. Please be
brave for me?”

“No, Mama! I won’t
go!” said Isla as she pulled away from her mother, and then she
threw herself across Mama’s lap, sobbing.

“I’m sorry, honey,
but arrangements have already been made,” said Mama, patting Isla
on her back. “I spoke with your school principal, Mr. Burns, and he
has a close friend who works at Archer’s. He talked to the
headmaster and told him of our circumstances and how talented you
are, and he is willing to discount the tuition,” explained Mama,
pausing as she stroked Isla’s hair. “I have already bought the
train ticket, and you will be leaving Sunday morning. When you come
back, you can return to your friends and get small sewing jobs after
school.” Despite her young age, Isla showed a creative ability in
her sewing skills. With professional training, Mama thought she could
become an accomplished seamstress and bring in additional income for
the household.

Amy sat quietly
listening to what Mama said as she watched Isla let go of Mama and
run upstairs to her room. After slamming the door, Isla threw herself
on her bed and cried herself to sleep.

Mama glanced at Amy,
waiting to see how she would react to her plan. She wiped her hands
on the front of her apron and started to clear the dinner dishes from
the table. Amy helped her mother without saying a word, afraid she
might also be sent away.

Putting away the final
dish, Amy couldn’t stand it any longer; she had to ask, “Mama,
are you going to send me away too?”

“Oh, no, dear. I need
your help here. I’m going to move you girls downstairs with me and
rent out the two bedrooms upstairs.”

Relieved, but confused,
Amy wrapped her arms around her mother’s thick waist. Mama held her
tight with an assuring hug. “Won’t it be crowded with all three
of us in one bedroom?” asked Amy.

“Yes, it will, but we
will have to make do. I have a small bed stored away. I’ll put it
in our bedroom for me, and you girls can sleep in the double bed.
With Dad gone I have to come up with a way to make some money. I’m
also going to serve Sunday dinners for an additional five people and
charge a small fee.”

After telling the girls
her plan and seeing their reactions, Mama had trouble sleeping. As
she lay in bed, she wondered if she had done the right thing. “Andy,
if you hear me, please let me know if I have made the right
decision,” she said, just above a whisper. No sooner had she
finished the sentence than a billow of wind came through her open
bedroom window. The curtains waved briefly, and a breeze filled the
room. Mama took this as a sign of approval. “Thank you, Andy. I
love you, and I miss you so much. Decisions are hard to make without
you.”

As she looked at the
ceiling, she prayed silently. God be with our little family and
keep Isla safe. She needs you, Lord, to be by her side now more than
ever. Tears flooded her eyes as she pondered over Isla’s
journey and her plan to open her house to boarders.

***

Isla was still in bed
on Saturday morning when she heard a knock on her bedroom door, but
she didn’t answer. The second knock was louder.

“Isla, it’s me. Let
me come in,” said Amy.

Isla got up and
unlocked the door, turned, ran, and jumped back in bed.

Amy opened the door
slowly, and then ran and jumped in bed with Isla. They pulled the
covers over their heads and hugged tightly.

“I don’t want to
go,” Isla said stubbornly. “Can Mama make me go?”

“Well, she is our
mother, and we have to do what she says. I don’t think you have a
choice. Three months is not that long, and think of all the new
friends you’ll make.”

“But I’m scared,”
said Isla hugging Amy tightly again.

“Mama said you have
talent. When you come back home, you can sew for the neighbors. She
needs your help, or she wouldn’t be sending you away.”

“I do have a lot of
new dress ideas. I want to make gowns that sparkle with beads and
pearls.”

“Maybe you will
become a famous dress designer!”

“Oh, my! I never
thought of that. Famous!” said Isla as she jumped out of bed.
“Famous!” she shouted as she strutted around the room with her
nose in the air. “I’ll study really hard. Maybe I’ll make gowns
for high society ladies.”

“Let’s go tell
Mama,” said Amy as she jumped out of bed. Hand in
hand they ran downstairs in their matching nightgowns that
Isla had made.

“Mama! Mama!”
shouted Isla as she burst into the kitchen. “Maybe I’ll be famous
with my dress designs. I’m going to study hard, and when I become
important, I’ll buy us a big house where you can sit on the porch
all day and sip lemonade.”

Isla’s new attitude
pleased Mama. “Reach for your dreams, and they might come true,”
she said as she joined the girls, laughing and holding hands
they danced in a circle. “Let’s have breakfast. I’m going to
make Isla’s favorite pancakes.”

As they sat around the
breakfast table, Mama told them the duties she had for Amy and how
she was going to change the bedrooms to make room for the boarders.
Maybe this is a good time not to be home after
all, Isla thought. Amy has a lot of chores helping Mama and
won't have time for her friends either.

That night, Amy helped
Isla pack a suitcase. She didn’t have to take a lot of clothes
because uniforms were worn at the school. “Don’t
forget Susie,” reminded Amy. Susie was a precious fabric doll with
red yarn hair that Mama had made. Isla made the doll’s nightgown to
match hers and Amy’s. Susie knew all
Isla’s fears, like how much she missed her father and that she was
frightened to leave home. Isla knew she was too old to be carrying
around a doll, but she wanted to take something to remind her of
home.

Sunday morning came,
and they needed to be at the train station by eleven o’clock. Isla
had on her Sunday best dress with matching sweater and dress shoes.
Mama lent her a small purse for her travel, just big enough to carry
a handkerchief, a few coins, and a note stating who
to contact if Isla got lost.

They arrived at the
station just in time for hugs and kisses before Isla had to board.
Mama had packed a sandwich and a few cookies for her journey. The
train trip would take three hours to reach Archer’s.

Mama found the
conductor and asked, “Would you please keep an eye on my daughter
Isla? She has never traveled alone before, and she is going to
Archer’s boarding school. There will be someone there to meet her.”

“I know where that
is,” replied the conductor. “I’ll make sure she gets off at the
right stop.”Then he took Isla’s hand and found her a seat by the
window.

“All aboard!”
hollered the engineer. The train whistle blew as it slowly chugged
away from the station platform.

Holding back her tears
and clutching Susie under her arm, Isla waved goodbye from the train
window.

Mama and Amy stood on
the station’s wooden platform, waving goodbye
and throwing kisses. Mama wiped the tears from her eyes, hoping that
Isla didn’t see them. She still wasn’t sure she was doing the
right thing by sending her little girl away.

Isla enjoyed all the
scenery from the train window as she ate the lunch Mama had packed
for her. She saw places and towns she had never seen before, with
fields of wheat and corn, and farms with cows and horses. She was a
city girl and found the countryside interesting.

“I have a little girl
your age,” said the conductor, stopping by to check on Isla. He was
concerned about such a young girl traveling alone. She nodded back
with a smile. “If you need anything, let me know.” Isla still
didn’t answer, just smiled, remembering that Mama had told her not
to speak to strangers.

A few minutes before
the train arrived at the depot closest to Archer’s, the conductor
let Isla know they were getting ready to stop. “I’ll come back to
escort you off,” he said.

When the train stopped,
the conductor took Isla to the depot platform. Archer’s
headmaster’s assistant was waiting for her.

Islam
examined what Mrs. Whitney was wearing. Isla often wondered
why all teachers looked alike. They seemed to wear dark dresses, ugly
shoes, and expressions on their faces like they had just smelled
something bad. If Mrs. Whitney was a teacher, she looked different.
She was young and pretty and wore a flowered dress.

“It’s about an hour
ride to Archer’s. I have a carriage waiting for us. Shall we go?”
said Mrs. Whitney. Her smile made Isla feel comfortable. Together
they drove in a horse-drawn buggy belonging to the school. Mrs.
Whitney made small talk, asking how Isla’s mother and sister were
doing after her father’s death. The time went by quickly, and they
soon arrived at the school.

Archer’s was a large,
gloomy, gray, two-story stone building.
Isla thought it looked spooky like somewhere a
witch or ghost would live. As Mrs. Whitney walked her through the
building, Isla observed several classrooms. There were separate rooms
for designing, cutting, fitting and assembling, and another room for
lectures. Other classrooms had been converted into sleeping rooms.
Isla’s arrival gave her just enough time to register, unpack, and
receive a quick orientation.

Entering Isla’s
bedroom, Mrs. Whitney instructed, “We have thirty students; each
bedroom sleeps six girls. Two girls will share a
wardrobe, but you will have your own trunk for your personal
belongings. You may post pictures of your family on the wall above
your bed.”

Isla put her suitcase
down and followed Mrs. Whitney to the cafeteria. “Dinner
is served promptly at six p.m. All the students are assigned
weekly kitchen duties, and those who have kitchen duty in the morning
will report to the kitchen at five a.m. Breakfast is served at six
thirty, and classes start at seven thirty. There is a thirty-minute
lunch break at eleven thirty and then back to class by noon. Classes
continue until five thirty p.m., six days a week.”

Walking Isla back to
her room, Mrs. Whitney continued, “Church
service is held on Sunday mornings. In the afternoons you can write
letters or participate in any other leisure activity you choose, as
long as you don’t leave the school grounds. Visitors are permitted
on Sundays only. Do you have any questions?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Well, go ahead and
unpack, and I’ll meet you in the cafeteria at six. After dinner you
will be given two uniforms,” said Mrs. Whitney, smiling as she
left.

On Isla’s first day,
she reported directly to the lecture room, wearing her new uniform, a
drab green jumper with a white blouse. She wore her own shoes but was
given dark knee-high socks. There were five other girls starting
school with her. Following the lecture on school
rules and expectations, three girls were assigned to the cutting
room, and the other two girls and Isla were taken to the sewing room.

When Isla entered the
classroom, she quietly gasped. She had never seen so many sewing
machines in one room. There were more machines than students. Later
she found out that the school was also a workshop that hired outside
seamstresses to meet the school’s contracts. Isla was surprised to
find out she had a daily quota to sew. After she met her quota, she
would have time to learn advanced techniques. By the end of the first
week, she met her quota every day.

The teachers took to
Isla immediately because she needed little instruction. Students
interested in designing had to sign up for six months instead of
Isla’s three-month commitment. She figured
that if she worked hard, she could advance to the design session
during her three month period.

“Isla, your designs
are too elaborate for what we do here,” said her teacher. “We
won’t be doing any gowns with beading.”

“Yes, ma’am. Would
it be all right if I showed the beading on my sketches only? Just so
I can visualize what the finished gown will look like.”

“As long as you
understand your designs are on paper only. But remember the actual
gown will be made of whatever fabric we have on hand, without any
embellishments.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank
you,” said Isla with a curtsy.

Isla continued
sketching her complex drawings, and the teachers shook their heads in
amazement as they critiqued her work.

The days were long, and
Isla missed her mother and sister. She had a calendar on the wall
keeping track of the passing days, and she drew a star on the last
day of school. At the end of each school day, Isla told Susie
everything she had learned. Being timid, talking to Susie was
comforting and easier than talking to the other girls. At night, she
would kneel beside her bed with Susie and say her prayers, blessing
Mama, Amy and Daddy in heaven.

***

Mama and Amy had not
planned on visiting Isla on Sundays because the round trip train ride
would take six hours, not including the trip to and from the station.
Sunday was Mama’s big dinner day for outside guests. Isla
understood this was part of the plan.

“Mama, I miss Isla,”
said Amy. “Isn’t there some way we can go visit her? ”Her eyes
looked so sad.

“I really miss her,
too,” replied Mama, giving Amy a big hug. “She’s been gone for
a month and writes that she is lonely and wants to come home. Maybe a
visit will help all three of us.”

CHAPTER TWO

Mama’s
plan was working. Her dinners were a success, and she had two
boarders. Sunday dinner was usually served at two in the afternoon,
following church. To allow time for their surprise visit with Isla,
Mama told her guests in advance that dinner would be served later.

The following Sunday,
Amy was up early, excited about seeing her sister again. Mama packed
a lunch for all three of them, including her homemade oatmeal-raisin
cookies, which were Isla’s favorite.

Reaching the end of the
train ride, Mama found someone who was willing to give them a ride to
the school. They arrived at lunch-time. Students who had visitors
were in the garden. Isla was in the cafeteria with a few of the other
girls who didn’t have family members visiting. She was patiently
sitting at one of the tables, waiting for the nod from the head cook
to get in line for food service.

Isla saw the door open
from the hall entrance, expecting it to be one of the students coming
in late; she was surprised to see Mama and Amy. “Mama! Mama! Amy!”
she squealed and ran to meet them. All three hugged and cried.
Jumping up and down, Isla turned to the other girls, saying
ecstatically, “This is my mama and sister.”

Taking Mama’s hand,
she led them to the picnic area in the garden, a shaded courtyard
with several tables and chairs. The shade trees were huge, and there
were trellises of ivy running up the side of the building, with rose
bushes lining the walkway. After noticing the dreary look of the
outside of the building, Mama was pleased to see the pleasantry of
roses and ivy.

Amy and Mama’s visit
made timid little Isla come alive. They sat next to the family of
Jessie Whitman, one of the girls who had started the same time as
Isla. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman werecordial
and said it was nice to meet a family of one of the other students.

During lunch, Isla
didn’t stop talking as she told them about her classes. “You
wouldn’t believe all the sewing machines in our work-room, and I
meet my quota every day,” said Isla proudly.

“I’m glad you have
settled in,” said Mama. “I’ve rented out the two bedrooms. My
Sunday afternoon dinners are a success, so we won’t be able to stay
long.”

Isla was sad for them
to go, but she understood and relished the time they had together.
Mama and Amy caught a ride back to the train station with Mr. and
Mrs. Whitman.

They arrived home just
in time to get supper served, most of which Mama had prepared before
she had left home. They were running late, but the guests understood
and were delighted to see the sparkle in Mama’s eyes and the
cheerfulness of their server, Amy.

During evening dinner
at Archer’s, still excited about her visit from Mama and Amy, Isla
asked the other students at her table, “Did you see my mama and
sister come and visit me today?” The girls smiled, responding with
a “yes,” or a simple nod. What a great day this has been,
thought Isla.

That night Isla and
Jessie talked together about their families.

“My mother wants me
to become a seamstress,” Jessie told Isla. “She thinks that would
be a good occupation after I graduate from high school. She doesn’t
want me to go away to college. My mother said she would be lonely if
I left home.”

“I love to sew and
design dresses,” said Isla. “But I didn’t want to come here; my
mama made me. My father recently died, and we don’t have much
money. Mama wants me to learn more and to improve my dressmaking
skills so I can sew for our neighbors and help with family expenses.”

“I’ve seen your
work. You are really good. I think your mother is right,” Jessie
replied, giving Isla a smile.

“I know, but I miss
my mother and sister. I’ll be happy when I can go home.”

Before Isla went to bed
that night, she drew a star on her calendar. It certainly had been a
special day. Isla said her prayers with Susie before bed which
included Jessie and her family.

Jessie and Isla became
good friends. They sat next to each other during meal-time. Having
Jessie as a friend made the days go faster. She was a year older than
Isla, a spindly girl, with doe-like eyes, who wore her hair in
pigtails. Mama and Amy wrote to Isla weekly, and she shared her
letters with Jessie. Her parents came every Sunday and included Isla
in their picnic lunches. Isla looked forward to Jessie’s family
meetings and wished she had a daddy like Jessie’s.

Mr. Whitman had an
average build. He looked younger than his age, but his bushy mustache
gave him a fatherly appearance, and he was always smiling. Mrs.
Whitman was short, stout, and wore her slightly graying hair in short
finger waves. Jessie looked more like her father, with her dark eyes
and brown hair, and she, too, was always smiling.

Jessie’s father gave
Isla his undivided attention. “Come sit next
to me,” he said, patting the bench seat next to him. He put his arm
around her, giving her a squeeze, doing the same to Jessie. “My two
girls,” he said as he squeezed them both. Mr. Whitman had wanted to
have another child, but due to complications during Jessie’s birth,
Mrs. Whitman could not have any more children.

***

Mama and Amy visited
Isla again at the end of the next month. This time Mama brought
enough oatmeal-raisin cookies to share with Jessie’s family, who
raved over how delicious they were. That made Isla proud. Mama also
noticed the attention Jessie’s father was paying to Isla. She
appreciated his kindness because Isla didn’t have a father to look
up to.

Graduation day finally
came. It was a Friday, and Mama and Amy were there to see Isla
graduate. She had studied hard and made use of every spare minute
during her three-month session, but she was
ready to put school behind her. Jessie’s parents were there, too.

The ceremony was short,
and each girl received a certificate of completion. “Mama, can I
frame and hang my certificate on our dining room wall?” asked Isla.
“I want everyone to see it.”

“You sure can,”
said Mama. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Can we give you a
ride to the station?” offered Mr. Whitman as they were leaving.

“Thank you,” said
Mama. “I would appreciate that.” The six of them squeezed into
his new, shiny 1903 Packard automobile.

At the train station,
they all said good-bye. “I’m going to miss you, Jessie,” said
Isla.

“I’ll miss you,
too. I’ll write you, and I hope you’ll write
back and let me know all about your neighborhood customers,” Jessie
said with a smile.

Mr. Whitman picked up
Isla in his arms and gave her a big kiss on the cheek and an
extremely long hug. When he put her down, Isla threw her arms around
his waist, giving him a hug back. Mama knew they had developed a
close friendship during their Sunday lunches but thought the kiss and
long hug were inappropriate. Not wanting to cause a problem, she
didn’t say anything.

“Thank you for the
ride. I hope we see each other again sometime,” said Mama, giving a
nod and smile to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman. “If you are ever in our
area, I would like to have you for dinner to show my appreciation for
the kindness you have shown Isla.”

“That would be nice,”
replied Mrs. Whitman. “Thank you for the invitation.”

Jessie and Isla waved
to each other until they were out of sight.

***

On the train ride
home, Isla was bubbly, bouncing up and down on her seat, and spouted
out everything she had learned.

When Amy could get a
word in, she said, “A new family moved in next door. There is a
girl my age, and she has an older brother. I think he goes to
college.”

“Have you met them
yet?” asked Isla.

“No, but school
starts next week, and we’ll have a chance to meet the girl. It will
be fun to have a friend next door,” stated Amy.

***

The first day of
school, Amy made friends with the new neighbor girl, Martha. Isla
didn’t go out of her way to be friendly. Many thought she was
stuck-up; she was just shy.

It didn’t take long
for the word to get out that Isla had spent the summer attending
Archer’s and was ready to take on some dressmaking assignments.

“Did you see the
dress Isla had on today?” one of the girls at school asked her
sister as they walked home.

“Yes. I bet it even
had matching bloomers.”

“I heard she makes
all her own clothes and her sister’s, too.”

“I wish I had a dress
like the one Amy was wearing,” replied the other girl.

“Let’s ask Mother
if we can have Isla sew for us.”

Many mothers in town
found it difficult to trust a fifteen-year-old with their sewing
needs, but their daughters insisted. Isla soon had plenty
sewing projects to do after school and on the weekends, which didn’t
leave much time for a social life. That was okay with her; she would
rather sew than do anything else.

When spring vacation
came, Amy had her eye on the new neighbor boy, Rod, who was home from
college. He was six feet two with reddish brown
hair and horn-rimmed glasses. He had a collegiate air about him. Amy
and Martha, Rod’s sister, became good friends, which made it easy
for Amy to hang out around Rod. Amy spent every spare minute during
the holiday breaks with him. When he returned from college for the
summer, he began courting Amy.

Isla had no interest in
hearing Amy talk about Rod and how they were going to get married and
move to Texas, where Rod’s uncle lived and had offered him a job
after graduation. What will Mama do if Amy moves away? Isla
wondered. I hope she tells her she can’t go.

***

It was after dinner,
and Amy was at Rod’s house. Mama had received a telegram from
Archer’s that day but knew she would have to be careful how she
told Isla. She was sitting on the couch, knitting next to Isla, who
was doing some hand-sewing.

“I received a
telegram from Archer’s today,” said Mama, not looking up from her
knitting.

“Archer’s? I hope
you aren’t planning on sending me back there again this summer?”
said Isla, confused.

“No, Isla, but it is
about you.” Isla looked puzzled as Mama continued. “They have a
summer contract offer for you.”

“No, no! The answer
is no!” Isla glared at her mother, putting her sewing down.

“At least let me tell
you about it before you say no.”

Isla didn’t say
anything. Biting on her upper lip and folding her arms in front of
her. She sat quietly, listening to what her
mother had to say.

“The contract is for
the summer at the home of the Mayfield family. They want someone to
sew the fall and winter wardrobe for the lady of the house and her
two young daughters,” explained Mama. She hated to send Isla away
again but thought it was a good opportunity. “It would be a good
experience to live with a nice wealthy family.” Isla was glaring at
her mother. “It would be a chance to see how other people live, and
it might be a good connection for your future.” Isla sat without
saying a word as Mama continued. “The contract will pay three
times what you would make staying here for the summer, and
they will pay for your round-trip train fare.”
Baffled, but a little more relaxed, Isla still didn’t speak.

“You can keep half of
your pay and open up a savings account for your future.” Mama was
smiling as she made the offer.

Isla sat up straight,
her interest piqued. I’ve never had my own money, she
thought. Her earnings were always given directly to her mother.

“I don’t know,”
Isla finally said, shaking her head. “I don’t want to be away
from you and Amy again.” Pausing, she thought about the money. “Can
we talk about this in the morning so I can think about it?” asked
Isla.

“I think that would
be a good idea. Archer’s wants me to telegraph them back by
tomorrow with an answer, so we don’t have much time,” said Mama,
smiling at Isla and going back to her knitting. I need to send an
inquiry to Archer’s about the Mayfield family, Mama thought to
herself. I’m not going to
hand my daughter over to just anybody.

Isla put down her
sewing and went to bed. Many thoughts went through her head that
night. If I had my own money, I could buy nice fabric, not the
flour sacks I’m used to sewing with, she thought. It won’t
be like Archer’s, where I had to sew on the same pattern
over and over again.

The next morning at
breakfast, Isla told Mama she would go to the Mayfields’.

“The Mayfields’?
Who are they?” asked Amy. Mama told Amy about the contract with
Archer’s. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Amy asked Isla.
“You’ll be staying with strangers.”

“Don’t worry, Amy,”
said Mama. “I’m going to check with Archer’s and get more
information about the family before I agree to let Isla go.”

“It will only be for
the summer,” replied Isla, looking at Mama, “and no longer. They
are going to pay me a lot more money than I can make sewing here.
They are supposed to be a rich family, and maybe they will like some
of my designs.”

Archer’s returned
Mama’s inquiry, assuring her that the Mayfields were a good family.
They had previously sent other students there for the summer and
received good comments from both parties. It was settled; Isla would
leave on Sunday afternoon.

CHAPTER THREE

The
Mayfield family lived in Henderson County, Illinois, a thirty-minute
ride from the train station. A man servant and the Mayfields’
head housekeeper, Miss Ellen, met Isla at the train station in a
horse-drawn carriage. They rode in silence, while Isla enjoyed the
picturesque countryside. For a city girl, the rolling hills seemed to
be never-ending.

On a hilltop of a
grassy meadow, peeking through acres of trees was the roof of a
plantation-type house. Just north of the house were horse stables.
Pulling around to the back of the house, the horse carriage stopped.
Miss Ellen helped Isla with her small suitcase as they entered
through the kitchen. Miss Ellen took off her coat, hung it on a
coatrack, and proceeded to give Isla a quick tour of the house.

The house had five
bedrooms and a living room with a high beamed ceiling. It was the
largest room in the house, decorated with overstuffed furniture
placed comfortably in front of the hearth. The Mayfields
had a radio, a record player, and a grand piano where the two
daughters alternated their practice schedule every morning and
afternoon.

Taking Isla to her
room, Miss Ellen said, “This is your room that you will share with
two housemaids.” It was a small space, much like the room she had
at Archer’s. “Go ahead and get settled in. I will send someone to
fetch you for dinner. You will eat with the other staff in the
kitchen at five o’clock.”

At dinner, Miss Ellen
introduced Isla to Hilda, the cook, and the two housemaids who would
be sharing her room. “When you finish eating, return to your room.
In the morning, report back here to the kitchen at six for breakfast.
We will go over your duties then,” instructed Miss Ellen and then
she left. She never ate in the kitchen with the staff. She took her
meals in her room after the Mayfields had been
served.

In the morning, Miss
Ellen, peering over the top of her glasses and standing erect,
wearing her starched white apron and highly polished shoes, sternly
gave Isla the household staff rules. “You are not allowed to roam
the house. If you are not in the sewing room, you should stay in your
room. After dinner, you may walk the grounds when your work is done
but stay away from the horse stables. Do you have any questions?”

“No, ma’am.” I’ve
never been in such a big house. I won’t wander
around because I would probably
get lost, thought Isla. They sure have a
lot of rules.

“Follow me, and I’ll
introduce you to Mrs. Mayfield and her daughters.”

Mrs. Mayfield and her
two daughters were waiting in the sewing room. Mrs. Mayfield was a
thin woman of average height with long, black hair tied back with a
black satin ribbon. The fifteen-year-old daughter was thin like her
mother. The other daughter, sixteen, was shorter and starting to show
a womanly shape.

The sewing room was
upstairs and had a window that over-looked the Mayfield estate. It
was a nicer work-room than the cramped sewing quarters Isla was used
to. The fabric she was given to make the ladies’ wardrobe was the
nicest she had ever seen.

During the second week,
while she was fitting Mrs. Mayfield, Isla cleared her throat and then
spoke, “Excuse me, Mrs. Mayfield. May I ask you a question?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Would it be okay if
I kept the scraps of material left over from your garments?”

Mrs. Mayfield frowned
at such a request and then eased into a smile, saying, “I guess it
would be all right, as long as you don’t use it to make yourself
anything to wear.”

“Yes, ma’am. I
won’t,” Isla confirmed. “Thank you. Your
fabric is so lovely.” Mrs. Mayfield smiled at her as she left the
room.

Using the scraps,
Isla made a small lap quilt. At the end of each day, Isla
would retreat to a place in the orchard she considered her sanctuary.
Sitting under one of the trees on her handmade quilt, she thought
about Mama and Amy, counting the days when she could return home.

The orchard seemed to
stretch for miles, rows, and rows of trees. I
wonder how they planted the trees
in such even rows? thought Isla. Did someone carefully measure
the distance between each tree?
The Mayfields also raised race horses, which caught Isla’s eye. I
could sit here all day and watch
them train the horses. They are such beautiful animals. I wish Mama
and Amy could see them. It’s so
peaceful here. She started to daydream. I hope Mama isn’t
working too hard. It’s a lot of work having two boarders
and cooking the Sunday dinners. I only have four weeks left on
my contract, and then I can go home and help her.

Isla was not with the
Mayfields long enough to become close to anyone
in the household, with the exception of Hilda. Hilda was a large
woman, very large. Like Mama, she always wore a bib-type apron.
Unlike Mama, she wrapped her hair in a bandana. She took a liking to
Isla, sensing the loneliness Isla felt being separated from her
family.

“How are you doing,
honey child?” asked Hilda, handing Isla an apple as she came
through the kitchen one afternoon on her way to the orchard.

“I’m fine. This is
a nice house, and I really like sewing for the missus. The girls are
okay, but they don’t talk to me,” replied Isla.

“Child, you are hired
help and only here for a short time. Their mama
has told them not to make friends with you because you will soon be
gone. If you are lonely and need someone to talk to, you can come and
sit here with me when your day’s work is done.”

“Thank you, Miss
Hilda, but I want to stay out of the way of Miss Ellen.”

“I know, child. I
know,” she said as she rolled her eyes, and Isla went out the back
door.

Everyone was nice to
Isla at the Mayfield house, as long as she remembered her place. One
day Miss Ellen caught Isla in the doorway of the front room,
listening to one of the girls practicing on the piano.

“Isla, do I need to
remind you not to wander about the house? If you
are not in the sewing room or kitchen, you should stay in your room,”
said Miss Ellen.

“Yes, ma’am,”
replied Isla, and she quickly went to her room.

At the end of each
week, Isla wrote to Mama and Amy. In her letters,
she enclosed scraps of fabric that she was working on to let them
know what she was making.

She also wrote to
Jessie:

Dear Jessie,

Archer’s contracted
me to spend the summer with a family in Illinois. I’m sewing the
wardrobe for the lady of the house and her two teenage daughters. I
miss Mama and my sister, but it’s only for three months, and the
pay is good for our family. You should see the
fabric. It’s beautiful. What are you doing this summer? I hope you
write back.

I miss you,

Isla

***

Jessie
wrote back:

Dear Isla,

I was glad to get your
letter and to hear about your sewing contract. My mother has been
sick ever since I returned from Archer’s and now confined to her
bed. It’s been hard taking care of her and keeping up with the
housework. My dad isn’t much help. He is working long hours and
sometimes doesn’t come home at night.

I miss you, too. Please
write me again.

Jessie

***

The Mayfield contract
was over, and Isla returned home. She opened up a savings account
with Mama and promised not to touch it until she graduated from high
school. Mama let her keep a little money to order a few magazines
because she liked to cut out pictures of dresses and gowns. Isla
pasted them in a scrapbook, in hopes that someday she could copy some
of the designs.

Amy had already
graduated, which gave her more time to help Mama with the household
chores. Isla didn’t look forward to returning to school. She would
rather be home sewing and was excited with every new project she
received. Some of the mothers contacted Isla to make holiday dresses
for their daughters. Isla liked the variety but didn’t care much
for doing alterations. She preferred making dresses from the
beginning, but alterations were a big part of her customer base, and
every penny counted.

***

The Warren family
enjoyed the holidays even though money was tight. Mama bought a small
Christmas tree, which put the girls in the holiday spirit. Mama, Amy,
and Isla had Christmas dinner alone. The only family they had was
Aunt Lillian, who lived too far away. To make the holiday more
festive, Mama invited Rod and his family over on Christmas evening
for dessert.

With the holidays over,
Easter was the next busy time for Isla. She had sewing projects for
many of her schoolmates to make their Easter dresses.

The following summer,
the Mayfields requested Isla back. Isla was glad
to see Hilda again as she welcomed her with open arms. At the end of
her contract, customers were waiting at home for her to sew their
school clothes. Isla was in her senior year and looked forward to
graduation.

***

There was a small
cluster of stores near the Mississippi River where the paddleboats
docked, within walking distance of Isla’s house. One of the shops
was called Rosa’s Dress Shop. It specialized in ladies’ dresses
and accessories. Mrs. Taylor owned the shop, which included an
apartment upstairs. Isla visited Rosa’s often, just to look at
dresses and touch the expensive fabrics. She hoped that someday she
could make dresses just like Rosa’s.

Isla was browsing
through the shop when Mrs. Taylor approached
her. She was very fashionable, and Isla admired her style. She was
tall and looked like a model in the fashion magazines.

“Are you Isla
Warren?” asked Mrs. Taylor. Isla was startled when Mrs. Taylor
spoke to her. She thought she might be in trouble for visiting the
shop so often and never buying anything.

“Your name has been
mentioned to me by some of my patrons. They have complimented your
work on dress alterations. I was wondering if you would be interested
in working for me?” Isla looked stunned as Mrs. Taylor continued.
“I feel that many times my dresses have not sold because they were
not the exact fit for my customer. Much of my business comes from
travelers along the Mississippi, and they don’t have time to find
someone to do alterations.”

“What? You want me to
work here?” Isla was surprised and taken back that anyone had
mentioned her name and at the same time praised her work. And now,
Mrs. Taylor was offering her a job. She had two more weeks until she
graduated from high school, and she thought she would probably have
to go back to the Mayfields’ for the summer.
With this new opportunity, she could work close to home and receive
regular pay.

“It would be my
pleasure, Mrs. Taylor, but first I must discuss this with my mother.
I can come back on Saturday and let you know.”

“Good. I’ll see you
on Saturday.”

“Thank you, thank
you,” Isla said over and over again, almost tripping as she backed
out of the shop.

Isla skipped on the way
home until she came to the bad house. Mama made her always
turn her head and look the other way when they passed it. She told
her never to look at that house but never told her why. Mama just
said it was bad. Isla turned her head and then ran the rest of
the way home.

“Mama! Mama!” she
shouted, as she ran into the kitchen, letting the door slam shut
behind her. “Mrs. Taylor offered me a job at Rosa’s Dress Shop.
She wants me to do alterations for her customers!” She jumped up
and down with excitement. “I told her I had to ask you first, and I
would let her know on Saturday.”

“Calm down, Isla. Sit
and tell me what you are talking about,” said Mama, putting down
her dish towel and sitting at the kitchen table. Isla relayed Mrs.
Taylor’s conversation as she bounced up and down on her chair. Mama
knew the shop but was concerned it was so close to the waterfront,
and Isla was naïve about the ways of the world. She would be exposed
to people from all walks of life and still would have to walk by the
bad house twice a day.

Mama had brought up
Isla to be a lady, and she soon would be eighteen. She had taught her
to be polite and respectful. Have I been overly protective? she
wondered. She will have to grow up someday, and I will be here to
guide her. Relaxing, she shared in Isla’s excitement.

“If this is something
you want to do, then I’ll go with you on Saturday to meet with Mrs.
Taylor.” Perhaps it is time to let go, she thought, hugging
Isla.

Saturday, on the way to
Rosa’s Dress Shop to meet Mrs. Taylor, they both turned their heads
as they walked by the bad house. When they arrived,
Mrs. Taylor was busy dressing one of the in-store mannequins. There
was a young man stacking shoe boxes in the back. He came out when he
heard the sound of the bell hanging over the front door.

“Mrs. Taylor, this is
my mother, Mrs. Warren,” said Isla.

“Nice to meet you.
This is my son Jonathan,” said Mrs. Taylor. “He is home from
college during summer vacation and helps me with my shop.”

Isla felt her face
turning red as she curtsied when introduced. What is this blushing
feeling? Isla wondered. It has never happened to me before. Is it
because he is so handsome? He looks so strong. Is it because he
looked straight into my eyes like he can see
right through me? Make it stop. Please make it stop, she kept telling
herself. The more she tried to make it stop, the warmer her face
felt.

“It’s my
understanding that you would like Isla to come and work at your
shop,” said Mama to Mrs. Taylor.

“Yes, I would like
her to do alterations for my customers if that
would be acceptable?”

“Isla will be
graduating in two weeks. She could start the following Monday,”
said Mama. Isla stood next to her mother, grinning like she had just
won a first prize award.

“That would be
perfect. I would like her to work Monday, Thursday, and Friday to
start. My shop opens at nine in the morning, except we are closed on
Sundays.”

“That will be fine,”
agreed Mama. Turning to Isla to see if that was agreeable with
her, she noticed Isla blushing as she nodded in agreement. Taking
Isla by the hand, she explained they needed to return home.
Mrs. Taylor said she looked forward to having Isla assist her
patrons.

Leaving the shop, Isla
asked, “Did you notice my face getting red?”

“Yes, dear. That
happens sometimes,” Mama said with a smile.

“How can I make it
stop?”

“I don’t think you
can. That happened a few times to me when I first met your father.”

“Do you think that
happened to Amy when she met Rod?”

“I don’t know.
You’ll have to ask her.”

CHAPTER FOUR

It
was Monday, and Isla was anxious to start her new job and see Mrs.
Taylor’s son again. No one had made her blush before, and she hoped
it wouldn’t happen again.

She was twenty minutes
early and waiting outside the shop when Mrs. Taylor arrived. “Good
morning, Mrs. Taylor,” said Isla.

“Good morning, Isla,”
replied Mrs. Taylor, impressed by Isla’s eagerness. She had a
feeling that Isla was going to be a perfect addition to her business.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor
lived near the Shaeffer Pen Company, where Mr. Taylor was an
executive. Jonathan lived in the apartment above the shop during his
breaks from college.

***

Within the first few
months, as Mrs. Taylor had anticipated, her sales increased by having
someone at the shop to do alterations. Isla worked diligently and was
thrilled when customers praised her work.

Near the end of summer,
Isla hated the thought of Jonathan returning to college. He had two
more years to complete his business degree and planned to go to work
at Shaeffer Pen after graduation. But now, he was ready to return to
school, his friends, and the party life. He thought Isla was sweet
and a nice distraction for the summer but very naïve.

The week before
Jonathan returned to college, he stayed at his parents’ house. He
wanted to spend some time with his father. On Monday morning, he went
to the apartment to pack up his things and say goodbye
to his mother. Before leaving the shop, he hugged and kissed her and
then bent over and kissed Isla on the cheek. The kiss was a surprise,
making her blush. She brought her hand up to touch her cheek where he
had kissed her, dropping her head in embarrassment.

Jonathan placed his
hand under Isla’s chin, pulling her head up to look at him. “I’ll
be back during Thanksgiving, so don’t forget me,” he said and
gave her a wink. She thought her legs were going to buckle out from
under her. She reached for the doorframe to steady herself as she
stood next to Mrs. Taylor and waved good-bye.

After hurrying back
inside, Isla went straight to the sewing room and returned to work.
She stopped long enough to check the calendar and count the weeks
until Thanksgiving and then wondered how she
would ever survive until then. However, work was very fulfilling,
which helped make the days speed by.

“Isla, I would like
to increase your hours to full time,” said Mrs. Taylor. “With
Jonathan at school, you can do the stocking and assist with sales
when needed. Would that be okay with you?”

“Oh, yes. I love
working here, and I would be glad to help out more.”

That night she told
Mama about the change in her work schedule.

“Isla, I am so proud
of you, and your help with the household finances has been a
blessing,” said Mama, giving her a hug.

***

When Jonathan
returned home for Thanksgiving, he spent more time at his parents’
house than at the shop. Knowing Isla was infatuated with him, he
stopped by the shop a few times to tease her.

“Have you
missed me?” he asked. Isla was too embarrassed to respond. “I’m
glad to see you are still working for my mother. She speaks highly of
your work. I’ll be back at Christmas time. It’s a busy time for
the shop, and I’ll be here to help out. I look forward to spending
more time with you.” Jonathan winked and his smile absolutely
melted her.

“I look forward to be
working with you again, too,” said Isla as she blushed, hoping that
Jonathan didn’t notice.

During the two weeks
he was home for the Christmas holiday, Jonathan worked at the shop
every day. Isla’s personality blossomed when around Jonathan. She
offered to get his coffee in the morning and to set his plate next to
hers at lunch. When she finished her sewing projects, she was at
Jonathan’s side to assist him with whatever he was doing. She
wanted him to know that she cared for him, but she certainly couldn’t
tell him. That would be too bold. The two weeks went by fast.

Jonathan enjoyed Isla’s
shyness; she was becoming a challenge. He found satisfaction in
teasing her and making her blush. The holidays were over, and again
he returned to college.

***

The following summer
while working at the shop, Jonathan paid more attention to Isla. She
was in love, and he knew it. She had never been kissed by a boy, and
Jonathan was more than willing to give her a few lessons. He was
tender with her and took it slow. Isla was giddy the first time and
covered her mouth and ran out of the room. He must think I’m
silly, she thought. I better act more grown-up, or he might
not kiss me again. I can’t wait.

Mama had him over for
dinner at least once a week. She wanted to get to know him better.
Mama liked Jonathan; he was very polite. While he had been at school,
Isla would write him every week, but he never wrote back. Mama was
concerned that Jonathan and Isla’s relationship was one-sided.

“It’s nice having
Jonathan over for dinner. I enjoy hearing about his plans for the
future,” said Mama to Isla as they cleaned up the dinner dishes.
“Does he ever mention getting married or having a family after he
graduates?”

“That’s really
personal,” said Isla, appalled that Mama would even ask such a
question. “You don’t expect him to talk to me about something
like that, do you?”

“Well, I have a
feeling that you care a lot more for him than he realizes.”

“Oh, Mama!” said
Isla, turning her head away. She felt uneasy that they were having
this conversation.

“Honey, I don’t
want you to get hurt. Boys think different than girls do. Please be
careful, or he might break your heart.”

Isla didn’t pay
attention to what Mama told her. There were a few nights during the
summer that Isla told Mama she was working late, but actually,
she was spending time with Jonathan upstairs in his apartment.

“I don’t like you
working so late,” said Mama. “I worry about you walking home in
the dark.”

“Oh, don’t be
silly, Mother. I’m not afraid. I have a lot of work to do, and I
don’t want to get behind.”

She didn’t like lying
to her mother, and she knew what she was doing was not ladylike,
but Jonathan would be leaving for college again, and she wouldn’t
see him until Thanksgiving. It was going to be
hard to say goodbye this time.

***

Rod had one more year
of college to complete his business administration degree. Rod and
Amy had talked about marriage after he graduated. Summer was over and
Amy was already upset that he was leaving again. To ease the
separation between Amy and Rod, Mama invited Rod and his family over
for dinner a few times before he had to return to school.

Dinner was over and Amy
and Isla cleared the table while Mama brought out a chocolate cake
she had baked.

“This cake looks
delicious,” said Rod.

“I hope you like it.
German chocolate is Amy’s favorite,” Mama replied.

“Like your dessert, I
have saved the best for last,” said Rod. Rising from his chair next
to Amy’s and getting down on one knee beside her, he took a small
box from his pants pocket. “Amy, will you marry me?” he said as
he opened up the box holding a sparkling engagement ring.

Amy gasped and looked
at the ring and then at Rod. “Oh, yes,” she replied, and he
slipped the ring on her finger. Amy jumped out of her chair and threw
her arms around his neck, almost knocking him over.

Getting his balance,
Rod stood up and embraced Amy in his arms. “I didn’t want to go
away to college without knowing that you would be waiting for me,”
he told her.

Isla and Mama were all
smiles, and so was Rod’s family. Everyone got up from their chairs
and congratulated them both with hugs and kisses as Amy held out her
hand for everyone to see her ring.

“I have nearly made
myself sick, knowing that you were going to leave again. This will
make it much easier,” said Amy, again throwing her arms around his
neck.